Gaddafi vows to open arsenals to arm his supporters

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Friday vowed defiantly to triumph over his enemies, urging his supporters in Tripoli's Green Square to protect Libya and its petroleum interests.

He told supporters he would open arsenals "when necessary" to arm the Libyan people against the "enemy".

"We can crush any enemy. We can crush it with the people's will. The people are armed and when necessary, we will open arsenals to arm all the Libyan people and all Libyan tribes."

We can crush any enemy. We can crush it with the people's will. The people are armed and when necessary, we will open arsenals to arm all the Libyan people and all Libyan tribes

Muammar Gaddafi

This was Gaddafi's third statement this week. He previously called on his followers to crush the rebellion against him that began last week and later said al-Qaeda was behind what he called "drug crazed mobs" of youth trying to unseat him.

Addressing cheering supporters from the old city ramparts looking over Green Square, Gaddafi, wearing a winter jacket and a hunter's cap that covered his ears, said:

"If people do not love Gaddafi then he does not deserve to live. If the Arab peoples do not love Gaddafi, than Muammar Gaddafi does not deserve to live."

"Get ready to fight for Libya, get ready to fight for dignity, get ready to fight for petroleum."

The Libyan leader, who has lost swathes of his country to protesters, said: "Respond to them, put them to shame" and "we can triumph over the enemies."

Blowing kisses to his supporters and then shaking his fist in the air, Gaddafi said: "This nation, we are the nation of dignity and integrity, this nation has triumphed over (former colonial power) Italy."

Becoming more and more animated, Gaddafi said: "Muammar Gaddafi is amongst you. I stand among the people and we will fight and we will kill them if they want."

"Look at the people's force. This is the people's force that cannot be defeated."

Gaddafi on Friday delivered another robust and pugnacious speech, excitedly urging supporters to fight and celebrate: "You must dance, sing, and prepare yourself ... this spirit you have is stronger than any other attempt by the foreigners and the enemies to destroy us."

Gaddafi shouted: "Muammar Gaddafi is among you. I stand among the people and we will fight and we will kill them if they want ... Look at the people's force. This is the people's force that cannot be defeated."

To the outside world, Gaddafi said: "Look Europe, look America, to this Libyan people. Here is Muammar Gaddafi among the people, among the youth. This is the Libyan people, this is the fruit of the revolution. The youth are enthusiastic. They want the revolution, they want dignity and glory."